Greetings all,

I am really new to this forum and fairly new to the Corvette world. After driving a C5, I feel in love. My current car is a 2017 Miata that has got just about every mod. I was wanting more. I have found about three Corvettes in my area that meet the specs I want. As I am new to this world, I would like to see some of the more experienced opinions on these cars. Or if anyone has a nice C5 for sale near Raleigh, NC. Thanks in advance!

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Welcome to the forum! Miatas are great. All my buddies have them, I've spent tons of autocross time in them and now race a 1990 miata in 24hr of lemons with those same friends. But my 2002 Z06 has never left and I've yet to buy my own miata lol.

Those cars mostly look alright. The 1999 model already has a failed EBTCM which can't be fixed any other way than replacing it with one that hasn't gone bad yet but will later at an unknown time for an unreasonable price. Sucks because of those 3 I like that one the best LOL. Nice color and solid mods.

overall, any car you look at be sure the drivetrains in good shape. C5 diffs have a weak link and they all crack the spring washers that preload the diff clutches and they start to whine. Throw it in 6th, get up to 60 or 70 and tickle the gas off and on and listen closely for the whine. At this point the transmissions are starting to go, worn synchros, broken shift fork pads and plastic keys are showing more and more. Clutches are going, clutch hydraulics are a big weak link since the slave lives inside the bell housing with the clutch its eating all that dust which wears the seals faster than other cars. If you have a failure of anything past the rear main seal you have to pull everything out so be sure you get the right deal or that the car has had replacements already or won't need anything.

I've had to pull it all twice and will do #3 this winter hopefully for the last time for years. Had i known what I know now I could've done it once so just want to share that. Everything else on C5 is a piece of cake really and its all cheap plastic Silverado parts available at most every auto parts store so jump in when you find the right car.

 

Welcome
I took about a year to research sports cars to replace my motorcycles and decided on the Corvette C5 here are some of the reasons.

1. it had to fast
2. look cool
3. replacement cost had to match the sale price of both motorcycles
4. Good aftermarket support
5. Good community (online and locally)
6. easy to do DIY repairs/mods
7. everyone loves Corvettes it still turns heads
8. not a normal rental car option
9. No 4 or 6 cylinder options (Mustang, Dodge challenger, Camaro + these cars also seem to be everywhere supper common)
10. has that when you walk away you look back
11. Looks fast when parked
12. duel personality (take a long trip or go to the track)

The C5 ticks all the boxes I needed so last august I got mine and I love it.

 

I agree, the purple one is my favorite and I have talked him down a bit so its a good deal. He has another clutch that will come with the car too. And are the brake control modules not available at all aftermarket? I have also heard of fixing them. I have worked on small blocks for years in my 85 S10 so extensive engine work is not too far fetched for me.

 

I will agree that miatas are great. I know I will eventually end up back in one at some point. The purple one is my favorite one and I was able to talk him down too so it is a good deal. I have been working SBCs for years so extensive engine work is not an issue. The purple car also comes with muffler deletes and a new replacement clutch.

 

Even though it looks like a Frankenstein patchwork, I'd take the 2002 of those 3 because of parts availability

 

Welcome to the forum! Miatas are great, but you're gonna love the C5! I took a good look at the three cars you posted. I know it's your favorite, but the Purple '99 would be a HARD PASS for me. It is a '99 with a failed EBCM. Although the EBCM in the newer C5s can be fixed. The '99 EBCM can NOT be fixed. Not only can you not repair it, but they no longer make replacements. Fining a used one in working order is challenging to say the least. If you do find one, it will likely cost you $1500.00+ to buy it. Plus, after paying all that for a used part, there is absolutely no guarantee that the replacement part won't fail quickly. In fact, there are many who avoid buying '99 C5s with working EBCMs just because they are concerned that it could fail. Another huge red flag with this car is that all the mods are only a few months old, and suddenly they guy wants to sell. The seller would be losing a ton of money on those mods. For them to be selling at this point indicates a pretty major issue. I strongly advise you to stay away from that car!

The second car is a "02. There are several advantages to this. To be honest, I don't really like the way this car looks, but if you do, it could be a good option. You should get a good pre-purchase inspection done by someone who really knows Corvettes before you purchase any of these cars.

The Third car looks nice, but there are limited pictures, and no description. It is a '99 again, so there are the drawbacks with parts availability/cost. I don't know what mods or issues this car might have. However, if the price is right, and it passes a PPI, this could be a good option.

It seems like you're looking for a modified car with extra performance. You might want to look at cars with A&A supercharger kits. In many cases, these will actually be more reliable than cars with an aggressive aftermarket cam swap. They will also be much more enjoyable driving on the street. I would highly recommend that you read the sticky posts at the top of this forum as well as at the top of the C5 tech forum. These are full of really great information for people who are looking to buy. Check out the for sale section on this forum as well. There are often some really good modified cars there. Good luck with your search!

 

I don't facebook so I can't see them but I would stick to 2001-2004, better intake (LS6) , more stock torque, active handling standard and if the EBCM fails it's repairable.

 

Thanks for all your help guys. I am going to go with the 2002. Going to finalize the deal with him tomorrow. I am sure I will be back for some more guidance later on!

 

I don't FB either but the links showed up for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Eight years ago I went from a MX5 Miata to a 2002 vert, no regrets. Good luck!

 

The 99 doesn’t have enough pics, but by far the nicest from what I can tell. The other two have been thrashed on a lot. Although the 02 comes with a lot of parts, it looks like it’s going to be a big headache. These cars can be a headache when they are unmolested, If it’s built and sanitary, you may have something. When it has a lot of mods but looks ratty, have your wallet ready.

Suggest you subscribe to “My Corvette Life” on you tube. Chris took a C5 from meh, to well thought out. Good stuff to help you.

Hope all turns out well for you.

 

This would be my advice. Good luck!

 

I have actually spoken to the guy on the purple one, as I'm in Va and was looking to possibly pick up a 2nd C5 for a daily. I lost interest in it after speaking with him several times.... there is more things needed and going on with the car than what is in the posting..... Good luck and welcome!

 

I would pass on all 3.